TV 2 executives fined for violating name ban in documentary

The Odense City Court has fined TV 2 executives Anne Engdal Christensen and former editor-in-chief Michael Nørgaard Jensen for violating a name ban regarding lawyer Lise Roulund. The ruling stems from the 2024 documentary series ‘Den sorte svane’ (The Black Swan), which featured Roulund.

While the documentary was intended to expose links between organized crime and the legal profession, the court found that the broadcast breached a pre-existing judicial order to protect Roulund's identity. Christensen was fined 25,000 Danish kroner, and Jensen was fined 15,000 Danish kroner.

TV 2 has announced it will appeal the decision, arguing that the footage was recorded before the name ban was in place and that the ruling is a problematic interpretation of media freedom. The court rejected Roulund’s claim for 150,000 kroner in damages. Roulund, who remains a suspect in a money laundering case and denies wrongdoing, stated the ruling does not undo the personal and professional harm caused by the broadcast.